Electromechanically-operated apparatus for advertising purposes



p 1931- A. v. CASSELS ELEGTROMECHANICALLY OPERATED APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l @OQG O ODOGGG GOGGGQ April 931- A. v. CASSELS 3 ELECTROMECHANICALLY OPERATED APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-She f; 2

April 7, 1931- Av v. CASSELS 1,799,731

ELECTROMECHANICALLY OPERATED APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES Filed May 29, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 7, 1931 nnirsn earns FATEZNT @FEFICE ARNOLU VIVIAN CASSELS, OF VI'EST END, NEAR BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA ASSIGLIOR T0 DAY & NIGHT NOVELTY ADS LIMITED, OF BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, A COBIPANY 0F QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA ELECTROIKECHANICALLY-OPERATED APPARATUS FOR ADVERTESING- PURPOSES Application filed May 29, 1929, Serial No.

i This invention is for improved electroniechanically operated apparatus for advertising purposes and the like.

At present with electrical signs especially for advertising, the cost of'lnaintenance is considerable owing to the amount of current required and the replacement of parts.

Those electrical signs wherein each letter of the sign consecutively appears until the full sign is completed require a great amount of mechanical apparatus to control them, and are then limited to the particular arrangement of letters or words set up by the con trols, such arrangements continuing until the Whole set of controls isre-set'for new matter.

The object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple and cheaply constructed apparatus whereby a brilliant day-light sign may be erected and operated with low maintenance cost, and be usuable also as a night sign, and wherein the subject matter of the sign may be composed and changed at will from a typewriter keyboard by electro-mechanical means which will be fully described as the specification proceeds.

The sign when erected consists of a long horizontal narrow casing, open at the front, and having a mirror disposed at an angle of 4:5 to the top so that the under surface of the top is reflected forward. The top is divided into a number of letter forming units,

each unit having a number of apertures conventionally arranged, so that by uncovering certain ofrthem a letter of the alphabet is formed, and by uncovering other series of apertures other letters or numerals are formed. By uncovering various series of apertures in the difierent units a word or words may be formed according to the length of the easing, which word or words are reflected forward by the mirror. In daylight, therefore, no lamps are required to form the letter, the suns rays being suiiicient to give a very bright sign. At night only several lamps are required to illustrate the sign. These apertures may be uncovered, and covered by shutters either of the sliding or lifting type, preferably electromechanically oeerated.

As toe arrangement of the shutters and apertures is the same in each unit, the inunit.

366,983, and in Australia June 20, 1928.

vention contemplates the employment of common means for the selection of shutters tor forming any particular letter on each unit; that is to say, for example, upon the depression of the letter L key of the typei-iter keyboard the means of selecting and opening the particular shutters for that letter for any unit are the same. The location of the letter upon the particular unit is governed by the position of the typewriter carriage as it moves from side to side, suitable contacts adjacent to the carriage and brush mounted on the carriage determining the By these means a considerable amount of wiring is dispensed with and the operation of displaying a particular letter or letters upon a particular unit or units is simplified.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment of this invention, similar parts in the difi'erent figures are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Figures 1 and 1 are diagrammatic views of the circuits employed for bringing about the display of a letter upon each letter forming unit by the depression of a key of the typewriter which is-connected up to the circuit; and for lighting a lamp to indicate that the particular letter circuit is eiilcient; and for obliterating a wrong letter (and extinguishing the particular indicator lamp) if accidentally struck on the keyboard; and for selecting a particular letter for each or any letter forming unit; and for eliminating the sign after having been utilized to its desired extent.

Figure 2 is pictorial View of a shutter shown in closed position together with its controlling magnets.

Figure 3 is a pictorial view of a shutter shown in open position (relative to the aperture) together with its controlling magnets.

' Figure 4 is a front View of two letter forma .dottec) and brings shown in the lfQybOicld of typewriter There is a common positive ((5a) c nslsting oi a metal plate (5) (shown dotted) situto elcctromaggnet is connected to neg the circuit and the l closed. l llectroma air-zed attracts the ne 3 This completes switch is i (4;) being new ener- Le (shown nt-act with a ter L switch series of studs (Ll) (5). mach oi the e in direct contact with an elec t which it (9 ettcr forming i forming in it 10) plate havin a series oi" clcsinp') an closed) :1; Each shut or opening in contact with one also 35 in number). 7 are merely insulated 0 Upon the depression of keyboard of typewriter (l) on the letter forming switch form the letter L on the unit (10) are selected; for Z l ing the letter L on the letter forn'iingig mit (10) left hand vertical. and bottom horithe zontal apertures (shown gram) must be opened and nets (8 governing them through studs (13) with studs (21) letter formi switch Upon clectron'aguet being (as before n'i-entioned) negative svitcl 1 comes into contact with the studs (.11) thi conveying the current from negative the electromagnets (8) required. Only one stud allowed for each opening electromagnet and it the same sti d (13 is required for other leters it is adopted for one or all. To complete the circuit the contact from the other side of electromag 'iet comes into contact with one of a of studs (16) situated at the back or" the typewriter The brush (17) connect d to the carriage (18) of the typewriter makes contact respectively with one or other of the stuns (16) as the carriage progresses from side to side. This brush (1'?) is in direct contact with the positive pole (19) of the battery. This completes the circuit and the letter L is formed by the open apertures (shown shaded in left hand diagram of let ter forming unit (10) To enable the operator to ascertain whether the circuit is being completed for that parar d diaticular latter forming unit a lamp (20) is en'iployed. The circuit commences from any stud (21) (in the drawings an extra stud the centre stud is shown) switch coming into contact with negative pole (22) of the battery synchronizing with the switching on of the (.urrcnt to the stud This stud (21) carries the negative current through to one side of the electroinagnet (23) 0pc rating the on switch 01 the betorementioned lamp (20) continuing through the coil of the magnet (23) to the particular stud in the series of studs (in contact with circuit of the particular letter forming unit (19) being operated upon) thence tln'ough the brush (1?) on a 'arriage to the positive (19). This c1 glues electromagnct (23) bringing into contact switch switching on the current from an outside source (not shown) and lighting the particular lamp us are provided for rectifying an error i by depressing a W1" ng letter oi typewriter 1) and utilizing the backspace (proid l on the standard machine) as a switch and are as follows: A series of studs (25) (in number agreeing r '1 number of units) is in contact with one ade ot the closing electromagnet (12) (see right hand diagram) of the letter forming unit (10). This series of studs which is located parallel with studs at the back of the typewriter, and frcctly beneath them, is wiped by brush (2h) brought into operation by an independent electroniagnet 27). This brush together with its elcctron'iagnet is mounted on bracket attached to carriage (18) of type yriter (l), and is in direct contact with positive (32). To bring the brush (2(5) into contact with one of the series of studs the current is sent through ciectromagnet (27) by depressing back spacer key (31) t ius bringing the shutter closing elcctromagnet (l2) beforcmentioned directly into contact with the positive (19) and utilizing the me chanical means for bringing the ca rriage back one stud (or space). All the shutter closing electrcmagnets (13) on each unit (10) are wired in parallel and are all energized simultaneously. The current in passing through the coils oi? the magnets goes directly to the negative pole (29) thus completing the circuit and closing shutter Simultaneously vitch (2%) with the closing of shutter the s. controlling the lighting current of lamp (20) is broken by means of electromagnet (30). The energization ot the magnet (30) is effected as follows Starting from positive through brush (2(5) to one of the studs (26) in contact with that particular letter forming unit (10) the current passes through one side of the electromagnet (30) to the negative pole (29). The lamp is thus switched off.

On completion of the full display, to wipe out the existing letters the following means are provided. A switch (28) (in shunt with backspacer switch (31) isturned onthus com pleting the same circult as has been described for the elimination of a letter on one letter forming unit (10). The carriage release is then brought into operation and as the carriage travels back the brush makes contact with each of the series of studs (25) in turn closing all shutters and switching oil lamps before described.

When it is desired to allow a blank upon one unit for example, between two words, by depressing the space bar, which is not included in the electrical circuit, but is mechanical, one each of the studs (16) and (25) will be passed by the brushes and respec tively.

Referring to Figure 2; the shutter preferably consists of a circular metal plate secured to the end of a lever (88) the other end or" which has attached to it a balanced weight upon which is a trip rod (33). This lever fulcruins on pin carried by the arms of bracket Upon one side of the shutter (9) is attached a short flat arm (38). The opening magnet (8) is carried by bracket (39) which also carries a flat plate armature (40) hinged by pin (41) on the bracket (39) and situated immediately below magnet This armature (40) normally lies underneath the end of the short fiat arm (38).

In operation; upon the current being sent through coils of magnets (8) they become energized and attract the hinged armature towards them with sudden movement. The end or" the armature (40) opposite the hinge comes into sharp contact with the flat arni (38) and propels the shutter upwards. As shutter (9) is finely balanced by .its weight (3%), on weight passing over the centre of gravity it completes the operation of raising shutter (9) and thereby opens the aperture. When the aperture is fully open the shutter assumes the position shown in Figure 3 and has the trip arm (85) in a position immediately above armature (4:3).

Referring to Figure 8 which shows the shutter (9) in onen position; when it is defor forming the letter (see Figure 1), back co the and bottom plates and open front. A mirror (a?) is arranged within the casing (at an ments and the like, comprising a horizont sired to close th shutter (9) current is passed through the coils of magnet which energround glass (50) isplaced above the shutters (9) and forms a separate compartment where- 'inthe shutters are mounted and housed.

In Figure 4 a letter L is displayedby reflection upon mirror (47) on the left hand and letter K is shown on the right. Obviously any letter may be displayed by the opening oi suitable shutters.

I claim 1. Apparatus for displaying advertisecasing open at its -front and having a mirror disposed at an angle of 45 relative to the top plane, and adapted for operation through the open front; character-forming apertures in said casing top; and electro-mechanically actuated shutters to uncover said apertures in predetermined groups to project a display unit upon said mirror.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which 7 includes in combination a color screen located below the apertures and a light transmitting screen above the shutters in superimposed relation.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes means for opening the said shutters to form a character in a character-forming unit, comprising a circuit; a switch key and electroanagnet in said circuit; an armature for the electro-inagnet and a series of studs adapted to contact with the armature in predetermined relation; a circuit including the character-forming unit, and shutter-opening electro-magnets in said circuit responsive to the operation of the switch key to open the shutters.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for locating the display of a particular character upon a character-torn ing unit, comprisinga movable carriage; a brush mounted on said carriage; a series of tired studs; a circuit including the brush and said studs the studs being respectively in circuit with a character-forming unit when in-contact with saidbrush.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1,.which includes means for indicating that the circuit for opening any particular series of character-forming apertures is effective, comprising a movable carriage; a brush mounted on said carriage; a series of studs; a circuitineluding the brush and said studs the studs bein respectively in circuit with a characterforming unit when in contact with said brush;

an electro-niagnet in circuit with the character-forming units; a switch actuated by the electro-magnet and a lamp indicator actuated by the switch.

6. Apparatus for displaying advertisements and thelike comprising a casing open at its front and including a top; characterforming units in the top, each unit comprising character-i orming apertures; shutters for the apertures; a shutter closing circuit and shutter-closing electroenagnets in said circuit; neans for closing all of the shutters upon completion of the display comprising a 111( "able carriage; a brush mounted on said carriage: a circuit including the brush and said studs, the studs being in circuit With the character-toriung units when in contact with (1 brush; a shunt circuit and an electro-magnet in said circuit; and a control switch operative with the electro-magnet to bring the brush selectively into contact with the studs to successively actuate all of theshutter-closing magnets.

7. Apparatus for displaying advertisements and the like, comprising a casing open at its front and including a top; character- 'forming units in the top, each unit comprising character-forming apartures; shutters for the apertures; a shutter-closing circuit and shutter-closing electro -macnets in the circuit; means for closing all or the shutters upon completion of the display, comprising a movable carriage; a brush mounted on said carriage; a shunt circuit and an electro-magnet in said circuit; a control switch operative with the eleetro-magnet to bring the brush selectively into contact with the studs to successively actuate all of the shutter-closing magnets; indication lights; a circuit for the lights and means in the circuit for extinguishing the lights upon the closing of the shutter-closing circuit.

8. Apparatus for displaying advertisements and the like, comprising a casing open at its front and including a top; characterforming units in the top, each unit comprising character-forming apertures; shutters for the apertures; a shutter-closing circuit and shutter-closing eleetro-magnets in the circuit; means for rectifying an error comprising a movable carriage; a back spacer key for mechanically moving the carriage back one space at a time; an electro-magnet; a circuit for energizing the electro-magnet and a switch for closing the circuit; a movable carriage and a brush mounted on said carriage; a series of studs adapted to have wipingcontact With the brush, thereby energizing the shutter-closing magnets of a particular unit; an indicator lamp for each unit and means for breaking the circuit for a particular lamp.

9. In an apparatus for displaying advertisements and the like comprising a casing having a top and character-forming apertures in the top; shutters for the apertures; a shutter-opening circuit and shutter-opening electro-magnets in the circuit; a character-forming switch, comprising a plate and a series of studs fixed to said plate said studs being included in the shutter-opening circuit; an electro-magnet havingan armature,

and adapted when energized to cause the armature to contact said'plate, thus completing the circuit through the studs and causing the shutter-opening magnets to be actuated to form a particular character.

10. in an apparatus for displaying advertisements and the like comprising a casing having a top and character forming apertures in the top; a shutter for covering and uncovering an aperture comprising a lever having a shutter plate secured toone end and a balancing weight at the other end; a trip rod secured to the said weight and a bracket on- Which the lever is pivotally mounted; a short arm attached to said plate; electromagnets having armatures and adapted when energized to cause said armatures to alternately contact with the short arm and trip rod to cause the opening and closing of the shutter, respectively.

ARNOLD VIVIAN CASSELS. 

